35. First Amdt. defender : ACLU. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

36. Corporate acquisition : TAKEOVER

37. School URL ending : .EDU

38. Fanged serpent : ASP

39. Building beam : I-BAR

40. What some do while the sun shines? : MAKE HAY. Keeping busy, windhover?

111 comments:

Good Morning, Argyle and friends. Parlez-vous francais? This puzzle was not too bad if you speak French!

I liked seeing a HAS BEEN in this puzzle.

My favorite clue was: They Might Be Blown in Games = LEADS.

STATEN Island must be the word of the week. I think it appeared in Sunday's puzzle.

Having that pilgrim to Mecca is often very tricky because of the all the spelling variations. I initially tried Hajj, but just couldn't figure out how the Caribbean islands could begin with a "j". Not sure I've seen HAJI, but since it is a transliteration from the Arabic, why not.

Definitely a speed run compared to yesterday, but still a bit of a clunker. I think the only true unknown was PORTO [-Novo] at 31A, but there was plenty of semi-obscure stuff like OBEAH, KIR, LATHS and HILO that needed lots of perps to jog my memory. And I have to wonder whether the word "amendment" has ever actually been abbreviated "Amdt" before...

Th theme answers were interesting and, despite three of them being in French, I actually knew them all. Couldn't quite spell them all without perp help, but at least I knew them. ^_^

Wasn't a speed run for me even though I had no real problem areas other than the spelling of the theme clues. There I had to rely on perps and that led to my one error. For 26D "This Could Be A Problem" I went with "Ohoh" instead of "Uhoh." The other problem was 41A "They may be blown in games". I entered saves initially, but perps got me back on track with "Leads."

I agree with Argyle about the inclusion of clunkers for fills. My candidates are Isls, Kir, Obeah, & 28D, Apt. I know we've seen Obeah & Kir before. but I can never remember them. On target/Apt just doesn't seem to go together.

36A "Word with cozy or bag/Tea was a ????? for me. Never heard of Cozy Tea or Tea Cozy. Can someone enlighten me?

Brett Favre was a gimme, but here's a guy who took a wonderful career and screwed it up by committing stupid acts in his personal life.

Bonjour mes amis. Merci, Argyle, for your excellent write up. This was certainly an interesting solve for a Tuesday.

Like Barry, I knew the phrases but was unsure of the spellings. Perps were always there for me though, and it only took about 20 minutes to solve. I was surprised that I knew that many French words and names.

LEADS seemed to be the obvious choice, but I briefly considered saves and plays as possibilities until I checked the perps.

I thought the theme was just common French expressions used in English. But thanks for pointing out the "dyslexic" endings, Argyle! That being said, I think having FAVRE in the puzzle almost takes away from the theme?

But what a fun puzzle! I didn't mind the couple of clunkers, when there is other fill that more than makes up for them, like T-BIRD, APE SUIT, MAKE HAY, etc! Great puzzle, and a fun Tuesday speed run.

The pronunciation of (Brett) Favre to rhyme with carve has always been really grating to me. If you look up the pronunciation of the French phrases in the puzzle you will see that the v is pronounced before the r and so is not dyslexic.

Mon Dieu! The top middle was a struggle but unlike the French military, I didn’t give up!

Musings-I knew Joie de vie but the re addition was a learning moment-Is OBEAH voodoo and is KIR good?-My iMac is going on 4 years without a hiccup-Where do you put those pesky J’s, I’s and A’s on your way to Mecca?-Soviet communism is a perfect form of government. It just doesn’t work!!-Woody? Deuce Coupe? Nope, it’s the Fun Fun Fun car I referenced yesterday. Conjures up the image of Suzanne Somers in American Graffiti-I watched Woody Harrelson in the Larry Flynt movie 2 nights ago. A textbook ACLU cause! I never did believe Jerry Falwell had sex with his mother in that outhouse.-I taught 5 ways to Cut and Paste in my Word For Teachers course!-WH, hay around here is spectacular and corn is already chest high!-Fore on a fall-like morning! 100 F on Thursday. Sacre Bleu!

Hello Puzzlers - What Hahtool said. My first instinct for 17a was JOIE DE VIVRE, but figured nah, that can't be right. Once that got confirmed it was off to the races.

Hondo - I've been wondering how they came up with the name "koozie", as in beer koozie, that insulating foam rubber sleeve that fits around a beer can or bottle. It sure looks like a kind of cozy to me.

Good morning, C.C. and gang - sorry for the unannounced departure from the grid, but I decided to take some time off from the blog (the only blog I visit) for a couple reasons. Primarily, I thought my posts, particularly the first ones, had gotten increasingly repetitive and boring, and I've never been one to be happy doing a half-assed job. Also, I've gone a whole week plus without reading the blog, and I don't seem to have the shakes. Lastly, I miss the DF days a lot.

Anyway, I'm gonna bow out for a while (please, hold the applause) and maybe return at a later date (please, hold the boos) or maybe just emulate Buckeye and check in every once in a while if I have anything clever/of interest to add.

It's been great - this is an outstanding group led by an outstanding woman (C.C., you're about as amazing as they come) and it's been a real privilege to be the 'lead-off guy' for the past three years. I wish you all every happiness in life and good health. See you down the road.

Dennis,Good to finally hear of your decision--and no, I don't mean that to say we're glad you're going. Just that I can relate. I spend way too much time at my computer and checking in here as often as I do can be detrimental to my real life. So I understand. I for one won't be booing when you look in occasionally.

Today was a fun run, rather than a speed run for me. I enjoyed seeing so much French, but wondered at everyone else's reaction to it.

anon @8:34 was right about the French phrase pronunciations--only people who don't know French would pronounce them dyslexically. and there's a lot more about FAVRE to get annoyed at than the sound of his name. Living in WI I have heard more than I ever wanted to about him. Nuff said.

On to the rest of the CW...I found the NW my slowest to fall, allowing that perps got several others like OBEAH and PORTO for me before I went back to pursue it. All told the SE was fastest. HAILMARY and AIRBALL were educated guesses, but for once all the names were knowns except MOPSY.

Thank you Mr. Fleming and Ms. Salomon, ( in the order of appearance - ) for a very nice puzzle - and Thank you Mr. Argyle for a stimulating commentary - your links were delectable.

Liked the puzzle, easy enough for a Tues. - but I dont care for the language. In my opinion, French is very irrational, non-phonetic and you would have to be a sadi-maso to enjoy it. I was familiar with the main theme, but didn't know how to spell the words. Argyle, your 'dyslexic' point is duly and greatly appreciated.

Now, that Dennis is 'retiring' to the bullpen, may I say, for myself, that I will miss him. Thank you for all you have done for the blog. ( I've grown familiar with his face ..... ) We will not be able to replace him easily, but I hope somebody, amongst you, will step up to the plate. Perhaps, Dennis can let Argyle know where he got his 'did you knows ?' from. Happy Trails, and Best Wishes, to Dennis and his family.

I agree with Hahtool on the HAJI stuff. Had Hajj at first, too, but was mindful of the several variant spellings. ISLS made sense for 20a, Once the theme endings, VRE, loomed, JOIE DE VIVRE made sense. I guess ISLS is a variant, too. The clues for ERA and LAPS were quite clever. Needed help with OBEAH, the only total unknown. A little harder than most Tuesdays. After Monday's as well, maybe Rich is trying to transmogrify us to more challenging offerings

Wow, Dennis! I am so glad to hear you are ok! I understand completely your decision...it's one I thought of doing as well as I too miss the good ol' DF days. The saucy back and forth was so much fun. You (and others) can sneak in a zinger now and then.

The last time I feel so said and hopeless is when I lost my Dad, very unexpected & crippling. God knows how much you've helped me on & off the blog, Dennis, day in and day out, forever patient and indulgent. "Thank you" is not enough.

Plus, I've never banned DF topic. All I want is moderation. Like trivia, recipe, or anything else, a little bit adds the flavor. Too much spoils everything.

This is a crossword blog first of all, and we have thousands of new visitors every day, plus regular posters and silent readers who are not DF-minded. Their needs, their reactions are important to me as well.

Not enamored with the French,I am neither sadi- or maso-, and I love the French language. I felt lost when I first was living there in the fall of 1970, but was embraced by the people. One new 'amie' took me in to spend my first Christmas away from home with her family, and after that my language skills took off like a rocket. It is neither illogical nor non-phonetic, if you know the rules.

When my future husband, then almost a complete stranger even to me, arrived in the town where I lived in the school I was at as assistante anglaise, we got him a room at a migrant workers' hostel only because the host there said he was so grateful for what Americans had done for the French during WWII.

Kazie, I most humbly apologize to you. You are the person, I thought of, first and foremost, and was truly worried, I might offend.

To be a xenophobe and a Francophobe, is not my character. Such thoughts, are in itself irrational, stupid and unfair. I have been to France 4 times, and each trip has been very distasteful. But, since I don't know the language ( a VERY necessary requirement in that country, since they refuse to even acknowledge English ! ) and their actions in the last 100 years in world wars and politics - I just basically do not like them, in my gut. But, that should not extend to their language - which I will freely admit was ( for some time - ) the only language of the 'court' in England.

Best Wishes Dennis. We all hope to see you back, more often than not, but sometimes we just have to move on.

There is another sky

There is another sky,Ever serene and fair,And there is another sunshine,Though it be darkness there;Never mind faded forests, Austin,Never mind silent fields -Here is a little forest,Whose leaf is ever green;Here is a brighter garden,Where not a frost has been;In its unfading flowersI hear the bright bee hum:Prithee, my brother,Into my garden come!

To my "admirer",No apology necessary, but a suggestion: if you go a fifth time, try a simple bonjour or merci bien, and see if it doesn't do wonders.

Argyle, You're right about words adopted into English still with French spellings. but do anglophones really say Louver referring to the museum? I've never heard it. OTOH, my mother always made fun of the hors d'oeuvres expression by calling them "horse's douvers".

Most French borrowings in British English retained the French spelling, whereas the Americans, sensibly IMO, changed the spellings to reflect their English pronunciations, hence spelling differences like "theater/theatre", "litre/liter" and "metre/meter", which in American English, look more like their German counterparts.

But I've always heard people attempt their imagined French pronunciation of French locations with that ending.

What a treat to see a couple of leading ‘stars’ of the cw world headline today’s offering as a duo.

I don’t mind a stretch on a Tuesday, if it still has some play in it. I hope I can remember, the next time someone asks for the name of West Indian sorcery, to reply OBEAH.

Would that be what Rich is wanting to do to us, when Spitz suggested transmogrification. It just, somehow, doesn’t sound nice or fair. Sorcery at its worst. Something else, if legal.

The theme was delightful to me, even if I had to sneak up on some of the spelling.

Interesting comment on 65A, Argyle. Need to read more.

Thanks, Nancy and Victor for your ‘joint affair’.

Dennis, if I ever hear of your being DF anywhere other than here, I will personally call the cops on you, if you haven’t already been arrested. No fair looking for younger, more fertile ground. There’s a law against it, you know.

I've only been to France twice and have had varied experience with French hospitality. I been treated very kindly and helpfully and impossibly rudely too. Same things have happened in the States with Americans in English. C'est la vie.

Kazie is right, try and learn some basic phrases, or at least make phonetic notes so we can get along in a foreign country.

Americans have been spoiled by knowing most countries teach English as a second language. But it isn't automatic. Expecting the French to speak English in Paris is like expecting a New Yorker to understand and respond to a French tourist in Times Square.

Anon@11:50 thanks... and I hope they don't increase too much, at least not for a while. The oldest grandchild is only 20. :o)

Jeannie, nope, still dealing with the weeds and woods. Another PET scan this morning, so I'd better get moving.

Hello everybody. Interesting to see the word "clunker" associated with this puzzle. My first, second, third, and most subsequent reactions as I worked this puzzle was pleasure at seeing such cool fill as SOVIET, AGAINST, AIRBALL, TAKEOVER, SLEEVE, REVERB, and my favorite, MOPSY. Okay, I guess I overlooked the clunkers such as ISLS and, well, that's the only clunker I can see. Other 3- and 4-letter fill(s), such as OOPS, TEA, and TOY were cute, I thought. Anyway, very interesting to see all our different takes and points of view.

Its one of those 'unmentionables', which everybody skirts about and avoids referring to - I assume it means it means something vulgar, raunchy, obscene, dirty, scatological, tasteless, lacking refinement, and crude, particularly about sex and bodily functions.

But then, those are also my jokes, limericks and bon-mots. Fortunately, I have not been able to link them with the crossword clues, hence my avoidance of them. Oh well.

Dennis, thank you for checking in and letting us know your thoughts, feelings, and plans. Count me among those who will miss you. As Spitzboov so eloquently said, "I wish you fair winds and following seas."

Are the French(men) merely uncomprehending about the English ( and their language - ) or are they just plain coarse, vulgar and rude ?

Observe the Germans, the Spaniards, the Eye-talians, and the Swiss ( who have 4 languages ) - who have English as a foreign language, but are still, in their behavior towards foreigners, very polite and courteous (- and 'correct').

Because of near-ancient history, ( the last 600 years), the French, see and fantasize, in their language, not only a culture - but their sovereignty and their destiny, their glory, their victories, their omnipotence - and are unrelentingly unforgiving of their 'shabby' present (diminished - ) circumstances. If you do not speak their language, in their eyes, you are committing an unpardonable crime - of not being mindful and in awe, of the Glorie', that once was France. Hence the rudeness. IMHO.

DF is shorthand for 'dysfunctional', and it was used to describe any of the slightly off-color comments that used to occasionally appear here. At least, that's my take on it. They were some laugh-out-loud fun times on the blog.

I think the varied opinions about French people illustrate how complex our relationships usually are. To me that's what makes them interesting.

Anon@10:54 AM, well and clearly said. Thank you.

I hope Rich doesn't transform the LAT crossword into just another NYT copycat.

Anon@8:34 AM, pronouncing his last name to rhyme with carve has always grated on me too, but then I remind myself that many of our last names are "mispronounced," such as pronoucing Weiner as Weener, Bernstein as Bernsteen, Boehner as Bayner, etc.

Anon @1:06,I have heard unpardonable rudeness in France--but more often from Americans who are complaining that they can't get a hamburger or who are talking loudly in the hope they will be heard by all in the area. Yes, the French want to use their language in their country. Are we any different?

The other groups you speak of have their faults too. A young female in Italy is at constant risk of unwanted advances, which I have described here before. I did not find the Spanish terribly accommodating linguistically either, and let's face it, the Germans just want to show off how well they speak English, even when you try out your German on them. (Except our son's in-laws, who only speak Saxon, LOL). So get over it.

Saw a bumper sticker the other day in my small town:Welcome to America: Now speak English. Deja-vu? Ever hear the phrase "Greatest country in the world"? Where were you at the time? The reason Americans don't get along with the French is we're too much like them. Except we learned the French kiss from them, for which we should be grateful. French fries, not so much. As for Farve, it's his damned name, he can say it any way he wants.

I'm going with Argyle on this one. I believe BRETT FAVRE is part of the theme, especially since he's French/Choctaw.

I thought the theme was refreshingly different, the fill superb. I'm also going to guess most of the fill was Nancy's. She loves phrases. The theme idea was probably Vics. He's listed first in the attribution. That's the usual deal.

I always thought DF was a strange term for the clever double entendres which get bandied back and forth. But it's part of the local argot so it's peachy with me.

Regarding the Dodgers owner, he was planning to use part of the loan for his own benefit, not the team's. I think he's a dirtbag and I hope MLB takes the management of the team away from him. Then I hope the IRS audits him. Then...? Course, they did look pretty good last night against the Twins.

The theme is different, but IMHO not a bit refreshing. But you all know how I feel about French in American English cross word puzzles. The fill is indeed superb, and very fresh: TAKE OVER, EN ROUT, AIR BALL, MAKE HAY, and OMG - APE SUIT. What a blast!

I didn't find the clunkers to be especially clunky, either.

Really high quality stuff, overall. Still, I hate the theme, and couldn't spell any of it.

I think HAJJ is the pilgrimage, HAJI is one who has made it.

Dennis - Well, this is bad news. Farewell and God speed, my friend. I've been missing you for a while, and will just have to get used to it.

Rebekka is with us today. We gave her a little stuffed bunny when she was a newborn, and she named it MOPSY when she was a little older.

Boy, do I feel dumb. After going back and studying the grid, I havre to agree that FAVRE was probably intended to be part of the theme, with the symmetrical placement of BRETT. Which removes my one nit for today... yaaay!

Dennis, you will obviously be missed here at the corner. How are we ever going to know what to celebrate each day?

BillG, you must understand that in amerika, the rich are rich because god wants them to be, and it is not fair for proles like us to criticise them, adding to the stress they must feel under the responsibility to provide jobs and trashy entertainment for an ungrateful underclass. You're a smart guy and a tutor, so you know this, but you let your emotions get the better of you. Just remember, god loves you too (but not as much as the rich).

Hello,All, IMHO, just like Erie Ruth I really enjoyed this one, though I had a hard time with 'Obeah' which I know we've had before. ( knew it started with 'O' and ended with 'H' but the rest didn't stick to the grey matter, I guess. LOved the French phrases. I studied French for six years, but never had enough experience with conversation.I can read it pretty well.....well, I could read it pretty well. I know how it should sound, but have no confidence trying to use it. It certainly hasn't made a great difference in my life!

Our experience in France was unfortunate, not because of the people, but because my husband was pickpocketed and we were almost stranded. The only Frenchman who was unpleasant was a waiter on the Champs Elysee. The other people we met were civil and many of them very helpful and friendly!

I love the language. The interesting thing to me is the way the French have worled to preserve it. Is that still true, Kazie? American English, OTH, keeps changing, often detrimentally, IMHO.

Happy Sabbatical Dennis! Some of us labor under the delusion that things will stop if we don’t participate and my year of retirement has shown me that is not so. Dennis’ absence will be noticeable but we will carry on, although in a diminished capacity. Semper Fi!

This is just a memo ( of possible puzzle answers - ) for those crossword constructors, who 'do' Fridays and Saturdays.... following Tinbeni's advice, words used herein are not from any of the major eurocentric languages....

Finally, a jewish saying to ward off the 'evil eye' - "Key on whore".( per Wikipedia - )

Did You know ? - Armenians, Syrians and Iraqis respond to the perceived attack of the 'evil eye' by pinching (their own - ) buttocks. This is not only inconspicuous, requires no added expense and can be ( at times - ) pleasurable.( per Wikipedia - )

It's official, Argyle. I've spoken with Nancy... BRETT FAVRE is part of the theme. Originally they had FAVRE as their center entry across, but Rich wanted the whole name so they worked that in. Tough to do.

Jerome, since you spoke to Nancy Salomon and she confirmed that FAVRE was part of the theme, what did she say the theme was? Was it as Argyle thought, "ending in VRE but are commonly pronounced RVE"? Are Americans really as ignorant as that?

Jerome, thank you for communicating with Nancy, I really do like to know.

I agree that I appreciate Dennis taking the time to say adieu, rather than just disappear into the night. As has been said, things happen, and while our friendships may only be cyber, and we never fought together at the kyber, we do worry about those who post, than suddenly they are a ghost.

I've been catching up on the blog comments. Kazie is the resident French and German linguist and her comment about the Académie Française periodically policing the language got me thinking.

All the theme phrases were totally en Français, with the exception of STEAK AU POIVRE. STEAK isn't French, it is an English word that has apparently wiggled its way into the language. Bifteck, or biftek, meaning beef steak, is the word I learned many years ago. Then there are words for various cuts such as châteaubriand and filet mignon.

I guess the French aren't that different from Americans when it comes to adopting words, they are just a little slower.

Long day on the tractor, and just caught up on the posts. Wow!!My only comment: If the guy who called Dennis a pompous ass is the same one who called him a 'pompass ass' last year, it just proves what we all know - this is a great blog. Even idiots can learn here.

All about the theme- VRE, that's the theme. Simple as that. It's fresh and it's quirky. Different. How many phrases, or names, end in VRE? There's nothing to overthink here.

As an aside to others. Get off the jingoistic crap. French, American, Saudi, Israeli, African, and on and on... we're all sisters and brothers. And if you don't like foreign words in a crossword puzzle don't do the puzzle in the LOS ANGELES Times.

Jeez O' Pete, we lost a mainstain. Not really a good idea when sailing. You just take down the jib, unhoist the sail and recover. I am not saying that I will not miss Dennis, but time marches on. Do what you must do.

As for the puzzle today....for once I wasn't on Kazies's wavelengh; but I am pretty sure she had a leg up on me seeing how I suck at French.

C.C. I felt the worst for you. It made me sad that you compared Dennis leaving to your Dad dying. BTW, my Dad turned 76 today. Dennis, did you think of turning over the birthday list? You can send it to me. I will still be a loyal poster here when time permits.

C.C., sorry about the recipes and riddles. Those will cease. I just thought it added to the entertainment value here. I know that first and foremost it is a crossword puzzle sight. I am sorry if I did something wrong here once again.

Anon @ 8:49,Thanks for the good guy label. But I am allergic to authority, and have no desire to possess any, here or elsewhere. As for "overreacting", I have been playing here for 2 1/2 years, roughly. In that time I have criticized other named, regular bloggers exactly twice, and only once this year. Anons who make inflammatory remarks, such as calling someone a pompous ass, are fair game. In my view, the people who care enough to come here daily, interact with the other bloggers, and do so with mutual respect, wit, and intellect are the glue that holds what was once an obscure blog that people found by accident together and have made it was it is or was. The genius of CC was in having the vision to start such a blog not knowing if anyone would ever find it, and then creating a space and a structure that led a certain number of souls to visit each other daily in the ether. YMMV.